Disinfecting and deodorizing agent

ABSTRACT

A disinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueous solution containing 10 to 1000 ppm of a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and having a pH adjusted to 8 to 13 with an inorganic salt or an organic salt, a disinfecting and deodorizing method comprising applying the disinfecting deodorant to air or an object, and a disinfecting and deodorizing tool comprising a container having the disinfecting deodorant, the container being equipped with a prescribed atomizing means designed to atomize the disinfecting deodorant into a mist comprising droplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in a proportion of 2% or less in number in a particle frequency distribution.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a disinfecting deodorant and adisinfecting and deodorizing method which are effective for disinfectingand/or deodorizing an object or a space.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An aqueous solution containing a chlorine compound such as ahypochlorite (e.g., an alkali metal hypochlorite) in a several toten-odd percent concentration and, as an alkali agent, an alkali metalhydroxide, etc., e.g., sodium hydroxide, is known as an effectivedisinfecting deodorant. For example, JP-A-11-236595 discloses acomposition comprising 3 wt % sodium hypochlorite, 1 wt % sodiumhydroxide, and 1 wt % polyoxyethylene lauryl alcohol.

[0003] Having the chlorine compound in a high concentration, such adisinfecting deodorant exerts excellent disinfecting and deodorizingeffects but has limited applicability in place or usage because of itsliability to damage objects (decoloration or discoloration of colored orpatterned clothing and deterioration or damage of metal, plastics, wood,etc.) and, in some cases, from the standpoint of safety. For instance itis unfit for spraying in a space, such as a room, for the purpose ofdeodorizing.

[0004] Reduction in concentration of the chlorine compound in an attemptto ensure safety and prevent damage to objects has involve difficultiesin obtaining a formulation with satisfactory storage stability. That is,the activity would be reduced considerably due to the surroundingtemperature, light (ultraviolet light), a third component adhered to acontainer, etc., a pigment present in a container material, and so on,and chlorine gas can generate with decomposition of the chlorinecompound. Thus, it has been difficult with a disinfecting deodorantcomprising an aqueous solution of the chlorine compound to achievesufficient disinfecting and deodorizing effects in such a lowconcentration range as to satisfy requirements for safety and the like.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide adisinfecting deodorant and a disinfecting and deodorizing method, inwhich a chlorine compound produces sufficient effects in such a lowconcentration range as to ensure safety and not to damage objects.

[0006] As a result of extensive investigation, the present inventorshave found that a disinfecting deodorant containing a chlorine compoundin a specific low concentration and having a specific pH satisfies allthe requirements for safety, non-damaging properties, storage stability,and disinfecting and deodorizing effects. They have also found thatsufficient disinfecting and deodorizing effects can be exerted byspraying an object or a space with such a thin aqueous solution.

[0007] The present invention has been completed based on the abovefindings. The invention has accomplished the objects by providing adisinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueous solution containing 10 to1000 ppm of a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and having a pHadjusted to 8 to 13 with an inorganic salt or an organic salt.

[0008] The invention has also accomplished the objects by providing adisinfecting and deodorizing method comprising applying an aqueoussolution containing 10 to 1000 ppm of a chlorine-containing oxidizingagent and having a pH adjusted to 8 to 13 with an inorganic or organicsalt to air or an object by a prescribed means.

[0009] The present invention also provides a disinfecting anddeodorizing tool comprising a container having an aqueous solutioncontaining 10 to 1000 ppm of a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent andhaving a pH adjusted to 8 to 13 with an inorganic salt or an organicsalt, the container being equipped with a prescribed atomizing meansdesigned to atomize the aqueous solution into a mist comprising dropletshaving a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in a proportion of 2% or lessin number in a particle frequency distribution.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention will be described with reference to itspreferred embodiments. The disinfecting deodorant of the presentinvention comprises an aqueous solution containing a chlorine-containingoxidizing agent. The chlorine-containing oxidizing agent is selectedfrom components effective in disinfecting and/or deodorizing an objector a space to be disinfected and/or deodorized, including hypochlorites,dichloroisocyanurates, trichloroisocyanurates, chlorinated lime (highgranules), dichloromethyl hydantoin, bromochlorodimethyl hydantoin, andcalcium chlorite. Preferred of them are alkali metal hypochlorites, suchas sodium hypochlorite and potassium hypochlorite, from the standpointof cost, oxidizing power, and stability.

[0011] The chlorine-containing oxidizing agent is used in aconcentration of 10 to 1000 ppm (=mg/kg), preferably 50 to 500 ppm,still preferably 80 to 200 ppm. This concentration range is extremelymuch lower than those of conventional disinfecting deodorants containingchlorine-containing oxidizing agent. In concentrations exceeding 1000ppm, the oxidizing agent causes decoloration or discoloration of coloredor patterned clothing, bedding, curtains, etc.; deterioration or damageof metal, plastics, wood, etc., and, in some cases, has a question as tosafety when sprayed, having a possibility of irritating the eye mucosa.In concentrations lower than 10 ppm, the oxidizing agent fails toexhibit sufficient disinfecting and/or deodorizing effects on an objector in a space. It is difficult for a formulation having such a lowconcentration to have sufficient storage stability because ofsusceptibility to influences of other ingredients in the formulation,third components adhered to the container, etc., pigments contained inthe container material, the surrounding temperature, ultraviolet light,and so forth. The chlorine-containing oxidizing agent is used in theform an aqueous solution. The concentration in the aqueous solution is10 to 1000 ppm as recited above. The pH of the aqueous solution is 8 to13 as described below.

[0012] The disinfecting deodorant according to the present invention hasa pH adjusted to 8 to 13, preferably 9 to 12, still preferably 9.5 to11, with an inorganic salt or an organic salt. It the pH is below 8, thedisinfecting deodorant has a fear of generating chlorine gas withdecomposition of the chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and fails tohave sufficient storage stability. A pH exceeding 13 damages an objectand, in some cases, has a question as to safety, and can fail to producesufficient deodorizing and disinfecting effects.

[0013] The inorganic salt or organic salt to be used is selected fromthose having a buffering action capable of stably adjusting the pH ofthe disinfecting deodorant of the present invention within theabove-described range. Preferred are those having low reactivity withthe chlorine-containing oxidizing agent so as not to impair thestability of the chlorine-containing oxidizing agent. Seeing that theinorganic salt or the organic salt is required to have a bufferingaction for adjusting the pH of the disinfecting deodorant of theinvention within the above range in a stable manner, it is particularlydesirable for the inorganic salt or the organic salt to have a pKa valueat 25° C. (hereinafter referred to as pKa₂₅) of 7 or greater, preferably7 to 12.5, still preferably 8 to 12.5, still preferably 9 to 11.

[0014] The inorganic salt includes alkali metal phosphates, such aspotassium phosphate, dipotassium hydrogenphosphate, and potassiumdihydrogenphosphate; alkali metal pyrophosphates, such as sodiumpyrophosphate and trisodium hydrogen pyrophosphate; alkali metaltripolyphosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate; alkali metalcarbonates, such as sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate; andalkali metal borates such as borax. The organic salt includes alkalimetal aspartates, such as sodium aspartate; alkali metalethylenediaminetetraacetates (EDTAs), such as tetrasodium EDTA; glycinehydrochloride, glycylglycine hydrochloride, triethanolaminehydrochloride, and ethylenediamine hydrochloride. The inorganic salt orthe organic salt is compounded in an amount enough to adjust thedisinfecting deodorant of the present invention to a pH within the aboverange and to be allowed to exert a buffering action within that pHrange.

[0015] If desired, the disinfecting deodorant of the present inventionmay contain additional ingredients, such as various surface activeagents, alkali agents (e.g., sodium hydroxide), chelating agents,solvents, thickeners, perfumes, and the like. The kinds and amounts ofthese ingredients are decided so as not to ruin the stability of thechlorine-containing oxidizing agent.

[0016] Water is a medium of the disinfecting deodorant of the invention,taking the balance other than the total amount of the aforementionedingredients.

[0017] The disinfecting deodorant of the present invention hasdisinfecting and antimicrobial actions on various fungi, such as mold,and various bacteria, such as E. coli and Staph. aureaus, to keep anobject or a space clean and suppress generation of bad odors. Thedisinfecting deodorant of the invention exerts its effect indisinfecting and deodorizing a smelling space, a cutting board anddusters in a kitchen, a dining table, etc.; removing a musty smell of astoreroom or cushions; disinfecting and deodorizing shoe storagefurniture; disinfecting and deodorizing a toilet; and decomposing anddeodorizing a variety of bad odors, such as the odors clinging tobedding, clothing, carpets, tatami mats, curtains, etc. (e.g., the odorof sebum, the body odor inherent to the elderly, and the odor oftobacco), the odor of pet animals, and the body waste odor of useddisposable diapers or a bag for putting used disposable diapers in. Forexample, the disinfecting deodorant of the present invention is appliedin the form of a mist on bedding or clothing of a care-receiver, anewborn baby or an infant, especially such a care-receiver as abedridden elderly person, or to air in his or her living space therebyto remove the bad odors and to achieve disinfection. Unlike conventionaldeodorants of the type which mask bad odors by perfuming, thedisinfecting deodorant of the present invention does not make anunpleasant mixture of a fragrance and a bad odor. In addition, the smellof the disinfecting deodorant of the present invention suggests hygieneand gives a user a good impression.

[0018] The disinfecting deodorant of the present invention manifests itsdisinfecting and deodorizing effects when applied to air or an object bya prescribed means. The disinfecting deodorant of the present inventionis preferably applied by spraying or coating. Spraying is particularlyconvenient. Where the disinfecting deodorant of the invention is sprayedin a space or onto an object, useful spraying methods include a methodmaking use of an air pressure, such as various trigger sprayers, amethod using a vibrator, e.g., an ultrasonic vibrator, and a method byheating.

[0019] Where the disinfecting deodorant of the present invention isapplied by spraying, it is preferred to atomize the disinfectingdeodorant into a mist comprising droplets having a particle size of 10μm or smaller in a proportion of 2% or less in number in a particlefrequency distribution. This is favorable for avoiding very finedroplets of the disinfecting deodorant being suspended in air for a longtime, which will lead to enhanced safety. While the particle frequencydistribution of the other droplets is not particularly restricted, it isadvisable to control the liquid particle sizes so that a spray onto anobject or into a space may not wet the object, the floor, etc. to leavestains or cause a slip.

[0020] The liquid particle size is measured with, for example, a laserdiffraction particle size analyzer (Particle Size Analyzer, supplied byJEOL Ltd.). The disinfecting deodorant of the invention can be made intoa misty state having the above-described particle size distribution byputting it in a container equipped with a prescribed atomizing means andatomizing it into a space or onto an object with that means. As anatomizing means, a means making use of an air pressure, such as varioustrigger sprayers, is preferred in view of portability, ease of handling,resistance to corrosion by the chlorine-containing oxidizing agent, easeof particle size control, ease of disposing of a used container, and thelike.

EXAMPLES

[0021] The present invention will now be illustrated in greater detailwith reference to Examples. Unless otherwise noted, all the percents andparts are given by weight.

Example 1 and Comparative Example 1

[0022] A 35 mm-diameter disc of plain weave cotton cloth dyed in red(basis weight: 140 g/m²) was impregnated with 100 μl of a 1% ethanolicsolution of 1-octen-3-ol to make a musky odor model. The cotton clothpiece was sealed into a 1.8 liter closed glass container with a lid at20° C. and 65% RH. A disinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueoussolution containing 100 ppm of sodium hypochlorite and 0.5% ofdipotassium hydrogenphosphate (pKa₂₅=12.38) and having a pH adjusted to9.3 was put in a plastic container having a trigger sprayer. The lid ofthe glass container was opened, 0.5 g of mist of the disinfectingdeodorant was applied to the cotton cloth, and the lid was closed again.The number of droplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in themist was 0.85% in a frequency distribution (Example 1). As a control,distilled water was put in the same plastic container in place of thedisinfecting deodorant and sprayed in the same amount (ComparativeExample 1).

[0023] The cotton cloth was smelled by a panel of 5 members before beingsprayed or after 5 minutes from spraying with the disinfecting deodorantor water. The intensity of the odor was evaluated based on the followingscoring system. An average score was calculated. The smaller the averagescore, the weaker the smell.

[0024] 0 . . . Odorless

[0025] 1 . . . Barely perceptible odor

[0026] 2 . . . Identifiable odor

[0027] 3 . . . Easily perceptible odor

[0028] 4 . . . Strong odor

[0029] 5 . . . Unbearably strong odor

[0030] As a result of evaluation, the intensity of odor before sprayingwas 4 but reduced to 0. 8 after spraying with the disinfecting deodorant(Example 1). The odor after spraying with water (Comparative Example 1)was 3.1.

[0031] The color of the cotton cloth piece sprayed with the disinfectingdeodorant or water was measured with a color difference meter. The twocloth pieces were equal in degree of decoloration or discoloration,proving that substantially no decoloration or discoloration occurred.The same test was repeated while changing the color of cotton cloth toblue, yellow, green, black, gray, brown or pink to give the sameresults.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 2

[0032] A disposable diaper after use was collected, and a 5 g portionwas taken out of the absorbent member having absorbed urine. The portionwas sealed into a 1.8 liter glass container with a lid at 20° C. and 65%RH in the same manner as in Example 1. A disinfecting deodorantcomprising an aqueous solution containing 80 ppm of sodium hypochloriteand 0.5% of dipotassium hydrogenphosphate and further having addedthereto a prescribed amount of a 2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxideas an alkali agent to adjust to a final pH of 10.5 was put in the sameplastic container with a trigger sprayer as used in Example 1. The lidof the glass container was opened, 0.5 g of mist of the disinfectingdeodorant was sprayed in the container, and the lid was closed again.The number of droplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in themist was 0.91% in a frequency distribution (Example 2). As a control,distilled water was put in the plastic container in place of thedisinfecting deodorant and sprayed in the same amount (ComparativeExample 2).

[0033] A panel smelled the diaper before spraying or after 5 minutesfrom spraying with the disinfecting deodorant or water and rated theintensity of the smell in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result,the odor before spraying was 5 but reduced to 0.7 after spraying withthe disinfecting deodorant (Example 2). The odor after spraying withwater (Comparative Example 2) was 3.8.

[0034] The chlorine gas concentration in the glass container where thediaper sprayed with the disinfecting deodorant had been placed wasmeasured with a gas detector tube and was found below the detectablelimit (0.1 ppm).

Example 3 and Comparative Example 3

[0035] The same cotton cloth piece as used in Example 1 was impregnatedwith 20 μm of a 0.01% solution of isovaleric acid in diethylene glycolas a model body odor of the elderly and pet animals and sealed in aclosed glass container with a lid in the same manner as in Example 1. Adisinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueous solution containing 150 ppmof sodium hypochlorite and 0.5% of dipotassium hydrogenphosphate andfurther having added thereto a prescribed amount of a 2% aqueoussolution of sodium hydroxide as an alkali agent to adjust to a final pHof 10.0 was put in the same plastic container as used in Example 1. Thelid of the glass container was opened, and 0.5 g of mist of thedisinfecting deodorant was sprayed to the cotton cloth. The number ofdroplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in the mist was0.89% in a frequency distribution (Example 3). As a control, distilledwater was put in the plastic container in place of the disinfectingdeodorant and sprayed in the same amount (Comparative Example 3).

[0036] The odor of the cotton cloth was smelled before spraying andafter 5 minutes from spraying with the disinfecting deodorant or waterand rated in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the odorbefore spraying was 3 but reduced to 0.2 after spraying with thedisinfecting deodorant (Example 3). The odor after spraying with water(Comparative Example 3) was 2.3.

Example 4 and Comparative Example 4

[0037] A piece of cattle leather for shoes weighing 3 g and having awater content of 30% was sealed in a closed glass container with a lidin the same manner as in Example 1. A disinfecting deodorant comprisingan aqueous solution containing 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite and 0.5%of dipotassium hydrogenphosphate and further having added thereto aprescribed amount of a 2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide as analkali agent to adjust to a final pH of 10.9 was put in the same plasticcontainer as used in Example 1. The lid of the glass container wasopened, and 1.0 g of mist of the disinfecting deodorant was sprayed tothe cattle leather. The sprayed cattle leather was allowed to stand at30° C. for 5 days (Example 4). As a control, distilled water was put inthe plastic container in place of the disinfecting deodorant and sprayedin the same amount. The sprayed cattle leather was allowed to standunder the same conditions (Comparative Example 4).

[0038] After the 5 day standing, no mold was found growing on the cattleleather sprayed with the disinfecting deodorant (Example 4), whereas thecattle leather sprayed with distill water gathered much mold(Comparative Example 4).

Example 5 and Comparative Example 5

[0039] A disinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueous solutioncontaining 80 ppm of sodium hypochlorite and 0.5% of sodium tetraborate(pKa₂₅=9.24) and further having added thereto a prescribed amount of a2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide as an alkali agent to adjust toa final pH of 10.5 was put in the same plastic container with a triggersprayer as used in Example 1. A glass container having put therein apiece of an absorbent member of a used disposable diaper was prepared inthe same manner as in Example 1. The lid of the container was opened,0.5 g of mist of the disinfecting deodorant was sprayed, and the lid wasclosed again. The number of droplets having a particle size of 10 μm orsmaller in the mist was 0.90% in a frequency distribution (Example 5).As a control, distilled water was put in the plastic container in placeof the disinfecting deodorant and sprayed in the same amount(Comparative Example 5).

[0040] A panel smelled the diaper before spraying and after 5 minutesfrom spraying with the disinfecting deodorant or water and rated theintensity of the smell in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result,the odor before spraying was 5 but reduced to 0.5 after spraying withthe disinfecting deodorant (Example 5). The odor after spraying withwater (Comparative Example 5) was 3.8.

Examples 6 to 8 and Comparative Example 6

[0041] A disinfecting deodorant comprising an aqueous solutioncontaining 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite and 0.5% of sodiumhydrogencarbonate (pKa₂₅=10.33) and further having added thereto aprescribed amount of a 2% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide as analkali agent to adjust to a final pH of 10.5 was put in the same plasticcontainer with a trigger sprayer as used in Example 1 (Example 6). Whena 0.5 g portion of the disinfecting deodorant was sprayed, the number ofdroplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in the mist was0.88% in a frequency distribution.

[0042] A disinfecting deodorant (pH=10.5) was prepared in the samemanner as in Example 6, except that the sodium hydrogencarbonate used inExample 6 was replaced with trisodium pyrophosphate (pKa₂₅=8.95). Theresulting disinfecting deodorant was put in the same plastic containerwith a trigger sprayer as used in Example 1 (Example 7). When a 0.5 gportion of the disinfecting deodorant was sprayed, the number ofdroplets having a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in the mist was0.89% in a frequency distribution.

[0043] A disinfecting deodorant was prepared in the same manner as inExample 7, except that the trisodium pyrophosphate used in Example 7 wasreplaced with sodium tripolyphosphate (pKa₂₅=9.70), and was put in thesame plastic container with a trigger sprayer as used in Example 1(Example 8). When a 0.5 g portion of the disinfecting deodorant wassprayed, the number of droplets having a particle size of 10 μm orsmaller in the mist was 0.87% in a frequency distribution.

[0044] An aqueous solution containing 200 ppm of sodium hypochlorite andhaving added thereto a prescribed amount of a 2% aqueous solution ofsodium hydroxide to adjust to a pH of 10.5 was put in the same plasticcontainer with a trigger sprayer as used in Example 1 (ComparativeExample 6). When a 0.5 g portion of the resulting disinfecting deodorantwas sprayed, the number of droplets having a particle size of 10 μm orsmaller in the mist was 0.88% in a frequency distribution.

[0045] The disinfecting deodorants of Examples 6, 7, and 8 andComparative Example 6 were allowed to stand in a constant temperatureroom set at 40° C. for 3 months and then tested for deodorizingperformance on a used disposable diaper in the same manner as in Example2. A panel smelled the diaper before spraying and after 5 minutes fromspraying with each disinfecting deodorant and rated the intensity of thesmell in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the odor beforespraying was 5 but reduced to 0.6. 0.8 or 0.7 after spraying with thedisinfecting deodorant of Example 6, 7 or 8, respectively. InComparative Example 6, the odor was 4.0.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0046] The present invention provides a disinfecting deodorant and adisinfecting and deodorizing method which achieve sufficient effects ata low chlorine compound concentration range while eliminating damage toa treated object and ensuring safety.

1.(Cancelled) 2.(Cancelled) 3.(Cancelled) 4 (Amended) A disinfecting anddeodorizing method comprising applying an aqueous solution to air or anobject by a prescribed means in the form of a mist comprising dropletshaving a particle size of 10 μm or smaller in a proportion of 2% or lessin number in a particle frequency distribution, said aqueous solutioncontaining 10 to 1000 ppm of a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent andhaving a pH adjusted to 8 to 13 with an inorganic salt or an organicsalt. 5.(Cancelled)
 6. A disinfecting and deodorizing tool comprising acontainer having an aqueous solution containing 10 to 1000 ppm of achlorine-containing oxidizing agent and having a pH adjusted to 8 to 13with an inorganic salt or an organic salt, said container being equippedwith a prescribed atomizing means designed to atomize said aqueoussolution into a mist comprising droplets having a particle size of 10 μmor smaller in a proportion of 2% or less in number in a particlefrequency distribution. 7.(New) The disinfecting and deodorizing methodaccording to claim 4, wherein said aqueous solution is sprayed to thebedding and clothing of a care-receiver, a newborn baby or an infant orair in his or her living space.